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Lamar County — Paris Economic Development Plan <br />The Target Industry Study provides a group of business sectors upon which the area should focus <br />its marketing effort. However, an aggressive recruitment program should not be initiated until <br />the issue of attractive, available real estate is resolved. <br />Recommendations: <br />• The Paris Economic Development Corporation presently has a web site. A web site is <br />vital as most site selectors conduct a vast majority of their initial research regarding <br />communities on the internet. The web site is understandable and easily accessed. <br />However, it lacks the specific data needed by site selectors and this should be corrected. <br />The Economic Development Corporation should follow, as much as possible, the <br />International Economic Development Council's "data standards." This format and its <br />data standards have been developed by site selectors and they will look for information in <br />this format. The data standards, which include approximately 1,200 data items, can be <br />very onerous to complete and maintain. However, as much local information should be <br />included as possible. <br />• The marketing program, after the real estate issue is resolved, should be expanded <br />significantly in the future. Direct focus should be placed upon the industrial sectors <br />identified in the Target Industry Study. Additional staff will be needed in the future to <br />assist with this program. <br />The Task: Within twelve months, the economic development staff will redesign the web site <br />reflecting the format of the IEDC data standards. <br />The Task: Within one year, an expanded marketing plan will be created. <br />The Task: Within two years, an expanded recruitment program should be initiated, including a <br />full -time professional employee to implement the program. <br />Start- Up Program <br />Nurturing home grown companies, which are contributory in nature, is becoming more and more <br />popular throughout the United States. Understanding Microsoft was once a "start-up" company; <br />communities are placing greater and greater emphasis on "growing their own" economy. <br />A business start -up program under the Economic Development Corporation is not a general <br />"business assistance program" popular in most communities, which is designed to help a person <br />start any kind of business. The Small Business Administration, local community college, and <br />even the Chamber of Commerce many times have programs which guide a person in establishing <br />general businesses from a travel agency, to a plumbing supply store, to a small restaurant. <br />Paris Economic Development Corporation Page 12 <br />